Train Dreams (film)

Train Dreams
Release poster
Directed by	Clint Bentley
Screenplay by	Clint Bentley Greg Kwedar
Based on	Train Dreams by Denis Johnson
Produced by	Marissa McMahon Teddy Schwarzman Will Janowitz Ashley Schlaifer Michael Heimler
Starring	Joel Edgerton Felicity Jones Clifton Collins Jr. Kerry Condon William H. Macy
Cinematography	Adolpho Veloso
Edited by	Parker Laramie
Music by	Bryce Dessner
Production companies	Black Bear Pictures Kamala Films
Distributed by	Netflix
Release dates	January 26, 2025 (2025-01-26)(Sundance) November 7, 2025 (2025-11-07)(United States) November 21, 2025 (2025-11-21)(Netflix)
Running time	102 minutes [1]
Country	United States
Language	English

Train Dreams is a 2025 American drama film directed by Clint Bentley, who co-wrote the screenplay with Greg Kwedar. It is based on the 2011 novella of the same name by Denis Johnson. The film stars Joel Edgerton, Felicity Jones, Clifton Collins Jr., Kerry Condon, and William H. Macy.

Train Dreams premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival on January 26, 2025, and is scheduled to be given a limited theatrical release in the United States on November 7, before streaming on Netflix on November 21. The film received critical acclaim.

Premise

Logger Robert Grainier (Edgerton) works to develop the railroad across the United States causing him to spend vast times away from his wife (Jones) and daughter, and is struggling with his place in a changing world. ^[2]

Cast

• Joel Edgerton as Robert Grainier
• Felicity Jones as Gladys Grainier
• Clifton Collins Jr.
• Kerry Condon as Claire, a forestry services worker
• William H. Macy as Arn Peeples, an explosives expert
• Chuck Tucker as a quiet logger
• Paul Schneider as Apostle Frank, a talkative logger
• John Diehl as Billy, an old logger
• Alfred Hsing as a logger
• Nathaniel Arcand as Ignatius Jack, a storekeeper and Robert's friend
• Johnny Arnoux as Kootenai Indian
• Will Patton as the voice of Narrator

Production

In February 2024, the film was reported to be produced by Black Bear as an adaptation of the Denis Johnson 2011 novella Train Dreams by Clint Bentley & Greg Kwedar, and directed by Clint Bentley and starring Felicity Jones and Joel Edgerton. Producers include Marissa McMahon and Ashley Schlaifer for Kamala Films, and Will Janowitz, and Teddy Schwarzman and Michael Heimler for Black Bear. ^[3] In May 2024, Kerry Condon, William H. Macy and Clifton Collins Jr. joined the cast. ^[4]

Principal photography started in Washington State in April 2024, with filming locations including Spokane, Metaline Falls, and Colville. ^{[5] [6]}

Release

Train Dreams premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival on January 26, 2025. ^{[7] [8]} Shortly after, Netflix acquired distribution rights to the film. ^[9] The film will be released in select theaters in the United States on November 7, 2025, before being made available for streaming on Netflix globally on November 21. ^{[10] [11]}

Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes , 98% of 40 critics' reviews are positive.The website's consensus reads: "A gorgeous meditation on America, ably shouldered by one of Joel Edgerton's very best performances, Train Dreams takes on mythic proportions while maintaining an intimate emotional delicacy." ^[12] Metacritic , which uses a weighted average , assigned the film a score of 87 out of 100, based on 13 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".

References

1. "Train Dreams[M]". Australian Classification Board . August 13, 2025. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
2. Kay, Jeremy (February 7, 2024). "Joel Edgerton, Felicity Jones to star in 'Train Dreams'; Black Bear launching at EFM". Screen Daily. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
3. Grobar, Matt (February 7, 2024). "Joel Edgerton, Felicity Jones To Star In 'Jockey' Helmer Clint Bentley's 'Train Dreams'; Black Bear Introducing To Buyers At EFM". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
4. Ritman, Alex (May 2, 2024). "Kerry Condon, William H. Macy, Clifton Collins Jr. Join Black Bear's Denis Johnson Adaptation 'Train Dreams' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
5. Lopez, Kristen (February 7, 2024). "Joel Edgerton and Felicity Jones to Star in Adaptation of Denis Johnson's 'Train Dreams'". The Wrap. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
6. "Major motion picture 'Train Dreams' is filming in Spokane, to star Joel Edgerton and Oscar nominee Felicity Jones". Spokesman. May 9, 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
7. D'Alessandro, Anthony; Patten, Dominic (December 11, 2024). "Sundance 2025: JLo, Sly Stone, Putin, Ayo Edebiri, André Holland, & Ex-NZ PM Jacinda Ardern Films Among Park City Festival Offerings". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved December 11, 2024.
8. Ellwood, Gregory (January 17, 2025). "25 Most Anticipated Sundance Film Festival 2025 Premieres". The Playlist.net. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
9. Rubin, Rebecca; Lang, Brent (January 30, 2025). "Netflix Buys Joel Edgerton, Felicity Jones Sundance Drama 'Train Dreams'". Variety . Retrieved January 30, 2025.
10. Hammond, Pete (June 25, 2025). "Netflix Sets Prime Oscar Season Release Date For Sundance Acquisition 'Train Dreams' With Joel Edgerton And Felicity Jones". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved June 25, 2025.
11. Garner, Glenn (July 24, 2025). "'Train Dreams' Teaser Trailer: Joel Edgerton Rides The Rails In 'Sing Sing' Team's American Epic". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved July 25, 2025.
12. "Train Dreams". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media . Retrieved September 13, 2025.

External links

• Train Dreams at IMDb